No AFCON decision to be made yet: Jordaan

SAFA president Danny Jordaan says Morocco has not officially withdrawn from hosting the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations tournament scheduled to kick off on January 17.

Morocco has not officially withdrawn from hosting the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament scheduled to kick off on January 17, SA Football Association president Danny Jordaan said on Friday.

"Morocco has not said they don't want to host the event, they just had an issue with the dates," Jordaan said.

Jordaan told media in Johannesburg that Safa had received a letter from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) asking it to consider the potential hosting the tournament after they rejected Morocco's request to postpone the event.

Seven other federations had also been approached after Morocco expressed concerns over the spread of the Ebola virus.

A CAF delegation was expected to arrive in Morocco next month to assess conditions and a decision would be taken after a meeting on November 3.

"Only after the third of November, CAF's position on this matter will be clear and they will make a decision on what to do next," Jordaan added.

"There are two possibilities, one, that they agree with Morocco for the change of dates or they will look for other options and South Africa is one of many countries; we are not the only country."

Jordaan said even if Morocco did withdraw their hosting rights, no decision would be taken by Safa before consultation with government.

"From our perspective, you know in this country you cannot host a major event without the agreement and support of government and we have not engaged government on this matter.

"So the two principle actors, CAF, who have not spoken the final word ... and we have not engaged with the government on this matter, so therefore cannot take a position on this matter at this point in time."

South Africa hosted the tournament in 1996, replacing original hosts Kenya, and again in 2013 after Libya pulled out due to civil unrest in the country.

No country had hosted successive editions of the tournament.

-SAPA

November 2017

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